# NTSB WPR22LA301: Piper PA-28-140, N5780F, Laurel, MT, August 11, 2022 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: August 11, 2022, 17:35 local (23:35 UTC) - Place: Laurel, MT · 1/2 mile south of the airport - Coordinates: 45.68977, -108.76843 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.6898&lon=-108.7684&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 105723 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR22LA301 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/105723/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=105723 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22LA301 ## Probable cause The loss of climb performance due to undetermined reasons. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Engine (reciprocating)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500/cases.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 497 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 47 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 1,858 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 56 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, although the airplane’s climb started out fine, shortly after takeoff its performance dropped off. The pilot attempted to return to the airport to land, but was unable to maintain sufficient altitude to reach the runway. He conducted an off-airport forced landing in a field, where the airplane sustained substantial damage. The airplane’s performance chart indicated that an adequate rate of climb was available given the airplane’s gross takeoff weight and the density altitude that day. Postaccident examination of the engine revealed no evidence of preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation and, therefore, the reason for the loss of performance could not be determined. ## Factual narrative On August 11, 2022, about 1735 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA-28-140 airplane, N5780F, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Laurel, Montana. The pilot and passenger sustained minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot reported that, shortly after takeoff, the airplane was not performing as expected. During the initial climb, he noticed that the engine rpm had dropped, and he attempted to turn back towards the airport. During the turn, the airplane was not able to maintain altitude and the pilot elected to land in a field. The airplane impacted terrain about ½ mile south of the airport and sustained substantial damage to the wings. Postaccident examination of the engine revealed no evidence of preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. The density altitude was calculated to be about 5,457 ft. According to the pilot, the gross weight of the airplane at takeoff was about 1,921 lbs, which was about 230 lbs below the maximum weight for takeoff. The pilot’s operating handbook for the airplane indicated that the airplane should have been capable of a 450 fpm rate of climb. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5780F](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5780F), registered now, S/N 28-25087 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-140 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-25087 - Year built: 1969 - Airframe hours: 5096 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320 SERIES 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Ig Flight Training Center LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, July 1, 2022 - Destination: HWQ, Harlowton, MT - Airport: 6S8, Laurel Muni, runway 22, 5,199 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Stall warning system, ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 18; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 62.6 total, 60.1 in this make and model, 27 as pilot in command, 19.2 in the last 90 days, 7.8 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 360° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 93 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 30.06 inHg - Observed at: KBIL, 11 nm away - METAR: KBIL 112353Z 36006KT 10SM SCT110 SCT180 34/09 A3006 RMK AO2 SLP133 ACSL DSNT SW T03440094 10356 20300 56013 ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20220811014429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20220811014429A), Aug 11, 2022: Piper PA-28-140, Laurel, MT, Substantial damage. On August 11, 2022, at 1735 MDT, a Piper PA-28-14, [privacy data omitted] reported that, during the take off roll, the airplane was not performing as expected.… ## Other investigations on N5780F (1) From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. - [NTSB MKC80FCG36](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC80FCG36), Jul 6, 1980: Piper PA-28 (N5780F), Grain Valley, MO, substantial damage ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 2, 2024, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=105723. 3.3 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 1.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16405929&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB_6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Memorandum for record a�� duty officer comments (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 63 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17018154&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Memo%20For%20Record-Rel.pdf - Engine examination summary report (item 3, PDF, 5 pages, 723 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16405793&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=WPR22LA301%20Engine%20Examination%20Factual%20Report-Rel.pdf - Airplane POH excerpt (item 4, PDF, 1 page, 644 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16406920&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=pa-28-140%20POH%20Excerpt-Rel.pdf - Release of aircraft wreckage, NTSB form 6120.15 (item 5, PDF, 1 page, 48 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16406555&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Signed%20Wreckage%20Release%20N5780F_Redacted-Rel.pdf From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.